Show & Tell Simcoe County

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the F4 Barrie tornado, a day when eight people were killed in Barrie and four not far away, with many injured or having their homes or businesses damaged or lost and lives forever changed. The day affected the Barrie community forever, and five years ago, my own psyche was dramatically impacted in the year plus I spent gathering stories and pictures from courageous survivors and first responders, so they could share their knowledge to help ...the community heal and learn at the Show & Tell Simcoe County event The Barrie Tornado Remembered. I am grateful to all who participated. To help more benefit from that incredible evening, Larry Hurd and I captured it all in the DVD The Barrie Tornado Remembered, available at the Barrie Public Library, through interlibrary loan or your own library, or you can order a copy by messaging me here. See the Videos tab for more clips, or the YouTube channel for Judith Banville. Environment Canada says our area is overdue for another tornado of this magnitude. It's wise to be aware of what can happen and informed of what you can do. See more

The May 31, 1985 F4 tornadoes that hit Barrie Ontario and southwest of there still hold the record for the most powerful in Ontario. Here's a clip from one family's story. Learn the rest on the DVD The Barrie Tornado Remembered

Truth. It's why I continue, despite many obstacles, to help people share their stories of surviving the Barrie tornado, and my other Show & Tell Simcoe County events. It's amazing how sharing our stories can help others heal and learn.

At "The Barrie Tornado Remembered", the 30th anniversary event captured in our documentary, audience members had questions for our weather experts and shared some memories of their own.

Thank you to the volunteers, bakers, donors and attendees who made "The Barrie Tornado: Reflections and Recovery" event possible. We raised a little bit of funds to help the church continue to offer a place for community events, but even better, provided an important opportunity for people to learn about surviving a tornado, and to heal. Crystal Poechman-Colville shared this after the documentary and discussion: "This has helped me heal so much! It was important that so many ...new people shared. This was the first time I felt like a survivor rather than someone who was still suffering! Thank you for allowing such an important night to be shared in such a beautiful sanctuary. The deserts were amazing!" Thank YOU Crystal, for sharing your family's story. If you missed the event, we still have a few copies of the DVD available and for a limited time, will honour the anniversary pricing of $25. Just message us if you would like one. See more

Thank you to Ian McInroy of BarrieToday.com for conveying how my efforts to provide opportunities for people to share their stories at "The Barrie Tornado: Reflections and Recovery" enables them to process the tragic events of 1985, finding healing and closure. Crystal Poechman-Colville discussed how the 30th anniversary gathering of survivors and first responders, captured in the documentary, helped her heal, and gave her the strength to share her own story now, in the hope ...that it could resonate with others. We heard more stories and intriguing details at last night's premiere of the documentary "The Barrie Tornado Remembered". Thanks to all those who came, and who shared stories, especially Crystal, former Fire Chief Jack McAllister, former CKVR cameraman Steve Miller, Dr. Rick Irvin, Ron Kelcey, and Brin Jones. And a huge thank you to the volunteers at Grace United Church who provided the venue, desserts, and other help. Our reward is knowing we are making a difference. See more

Thank you to the online Global TV news for helping to get the word out about "The Barrie Tornado: Reflections and Recovery", which featured the documentary about the 30th anniversary gathering of survivors that Show & Tell Simcoe County organized and Word Portraits sponsored. The stories shared during the discussion proved that our efforts to provide opportunities for people share these stories DO help them heal, facilitates understanding of its impact on a broad cross sector of community, and educates about the reality of tornadoes in our area. Please inform, and prepare, yourselves before the next big one comes. Watching the documentary is a start. Just message us if you would like a copy. Also check out your local Fire and Emergency Services website for emergency preparedness tips.